Zambian opposition leader, Hichilema regains freedom

Leader of Zambian opposition party, the United Party for National Development, Hakainde Hichilema has regained his freedom from prison and treason charges against him dropped.

Hakainde Hichilema’s party, UPND, made the disclosure on its social media page, shortly before his trial was to begin in Lusaka.

Hichilema and his 5 co-accused have been released from prison; they all denied the treason charges at a plea hearing on Monday.

He has been in custody since April over an incident in which he allegedly failed to give way to President Edgar Lungu’s motorcade.The trial had been scheduled to begin this morning.

President Lungu narrowly beat Hichilema in last year’s presidential election in Zambia.